In 1741, the first MTT was struck according to the standard with of a
Cologne mark of fine silver, or 25.98 grams. In 1750 a new
thaler was struck with a gross weight of of 1 Vienna mark of silver, fine (with a fine silver content of 23.39 grams, or of a Cologne mark). In 1751 this new standard was effectively adopted across the German-speaking world when it was accepted formally in the Bavarian monetary convention. This new, post-1751 thaler has continued as a trade coin ever since. Since the death of Maria Theresa in 1780, the coin has always been dated 1780. On 19 September 1857, Emperor
Francis Joseph of Austria declared the Maria Theresa thaler to be an official trade coinage. A little over a year later, on 31 October 1858, it lost its status as a currency in Austria. The MTT could also be found throughout the
Arab world, especially in
Saudi Arabia,
Yemen, and
Muscat and Oman, in Africa, especially in
Ethiopia, and
India. Being of similar size to the
Spanish eight-real coin, and initially thought to be of French origin, the MTT acquired the Arab name (, literally the 'French riyal'). This coin was therefore the predecessor to, among others, the
Saudi riyal and the
Ethiopian birr. During the
Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies in World War II, enough people preferred it to the money issued by the occupying forces that the American
Office of Strategic Services created counterfeit MTTs for use by resistance forces. In German-speaking countries, following a
spelling reform dated 1901 that took effect two years later, is written (the spelling of given names like was not affected). Hence 20th-century references to this coin in German and Austrian sources are found under . The spelling in English-speaking countries was not affected. The MTT continues to be produced by the
Austrian Mint and is available in both
proof and uncirculated conditions. ==Details==